ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former first lady Bushra Bibi has been shifted to Adiala Jail from Banigala, the residence of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan in Islamabad, following a decision of the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday.
Bushra Bibi had filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court requesting to be moved from Banigala to Adiala Jail after her residence was declared a sub-jail following her arrest.
In her plea to the Islamabad HC, Bushra Bibi accused the authorities of violating her privacy and providing contaminated food in her home cell. She and her legal team also claimed that the Banigala residence, designated as a sub-jail, was predominantly staffed by men, a claim refuted by prison officials.
Khan’s wife further alleged that she was confined to a single room in Khan’s hilltop mansion in Islamabad. Both Bushra and Khan have been detained since January following convictions in the Toshakhana case on charges of illegally selling state gifts.
The IHC judge Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb pronounced his verdict today, which had been reserved on May 2 after hearing arguments from both sides.
Following the court’s order, authorities promptly complied with Bibi’s request to be transferred to jail, as confirmed by PTI leaders.
In a statement, the party announced that the court had ordered authorities to shift Bushra Bibi to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is serving his 14-year sentence.
During the previous hearing, Justice Aurangzeb remarked, “It seems that the decision to move Bushra Bibi to Banigala was predetermined. If I were confined to my home against my will, I would be deeply displeased. How can a prisoner’s property be converted into a sub-jail without their consent?”
In March, the superintendent of Adiala Jail had told the IHC that Bibi could not be transferred to the prison due to security risks.
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